Hot and Cold Therapy for Back Pain

Back pain can be caused by different types of injuries. However no matter what kind of injury you’ve sustained, hot and cold therapy for back pain is an important part in beginning the process to alleviate your pain.

How does hot and cold therapy for back pain work?

Hot cold therapy for back pain is a very common home treatment after an injury. Both the ice and heat therapy when used together can drastically diminish pain and speed up recovery. Most doctors recommend that you begin by using ice to prevent internal bleeding and/or swelling after an injury, and then after 24-72 hours depending on the seriousness of the injury, use heat to promote blood circulation and speed-up healing.

Ice Therapy

Ice is good for headaches, bumps, sprains, and strains that may occur with sports, slips and falls, or lifting. Ice therapy is also helpful in treating some overuse injuries or chronic pain in athletes.

Key points:

Ice calms down damaged tissue

Slows down the blood flow to an injury

Loosen the tight back muscles

Reduces the inflammation, swelling that is causing the pain

Inhibit your nerve impulses

Instructions:

Cold therapy is most commonly done through ice packs or short amounts of time in ice baths.

Indications for Use:

Acute pain, sharp shooting pain, swelling, joint pain

Tips:

Use right after an injury or the pain area of the back

Ice at least three times a day for 10-15 minutes a time to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain

CAUTION: Using ice constantly for a number of hours in a row may cause a decreased blood circulation in the area and may result in sores and adverse reactions.

Heat Therapy

Heat is a great way to help loosen up tight joints and tight muscles. It is also a good method of pain relief for tension headaches, back pain, muscle strain and other chronic conditions.

Key points:

Heat promotes muscle relaxation

Opens blood vessels to increase blood flow

Healing nutrients and oxygen rush to the affected area to help it heal

Improved blood flow also helps cellular waste exit the area more efficiently

Increase range of motion

Instructions:

When using heat for back pain, it may help to know that moist heat is more effective for back pain relief than dry heat. This can be achieved through a warm bath or shower. A moist heating pad can also work to provide relief. Other options to warm the back include hot water bottles or a magnetic heat brace.

Indications for Use:

Chronic pain, muscle strains, poor circulation

Tips:

Always wait 24-72 hour before considering heat therapy depending on the seriousness of the injury

Moist heat for 20 minutes then rest for 40 minutes

Repeat for 3 hours in a row

Take 2 hours off and repeat as necessary

Do not apply high heat directly to skin, use a thin towel

For chronic lower back pain, all-day heat wraps are available and can be worn and reheated throughout the day for constant relief

It is not recommended to use heat if there is a swelling or bruising

Use extreme caution with electric heating pads, as they commonly cause burns. Do not ever go to sleep with an electric heating pad on your skin, as it can cause adverse effects and burns over time.

General Tips for Hot and Cold Therapy for Back Pain

Do not lie on a heat or cold pack to avoid falling asleep and potentially burning yourself

Don’t use heat if you have no feeling in that affected part of your body or if you have a medical condition such as diabetes

During treatment check skin every 5 minutes to make sure there is no damage, such as freezing burn (skin would become reddened or blistered, just as when burned with heat)

Using hot and cold therapy for back pain is helpful in remedying pain, but not the only way to alleviate back pain. Please also remember to always consult your doctor before treatment.

4 Responses

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Neotech Care

Hi, thank you for your comment! Many people have back problem, especially old people. And also many people would like to apply an ice bag when they hurt their back before going to the hospital, and use a heating pad to relieve back pain due to overwork. Hot and cold therapy can not cure back pain, but can relieve back pain, that’s what this post talking about!